Oregon white oak is a common tree that can be a dominant tree in many parks where conifers are not typically found. It was nice being able to get a photo of the leaf, terminal bud and a small acorn. Usually, these are quite high overhead. Additionally, the trunk and branches are sometimes home to many lichens and mosses, but they can also have some unusual companions.
Looking up at one of these oaks you might see what appears to be clusters of branches with green leaves. These, however are balls of mistletoe. The picture on the left is of a branch covered with lichens (greenish-gray in appearance) and a bunch of young mistletoe leaves and branches. This particular mistletoe is found primarily on Oregon white oak.
Another interesting growth found on oaks (all over North America) are “oak apples.” These are galls (a growth in response to a pest) found on branches. The pest, typically an insect larva is inside of the gall.
I cannot walk past a large boulder without looking for lichens that are slowly digesting the rock.
Salal is an abundant shrub along the coast. The leaves stay green all year, but finding it in bloom at this time of year was surprising.
The seemingly never ending array of lichens keeps me occupied on our walks.
Finally, a bird! California Scrub Jays are common along the west coast. Finding one perched out in the sun is not so common.
More tomorrow…
Michael's Place 
Thanks for sharing, Mike! Though we are now firmly rooted in Northern Michigan, part of my heart lies in Oregon right now in the form of our son Erik who moved there in May. He enjoys hiking and climbing there, so I will forward your post. Hello to Susan.
LikeLike